How to Become a Registered Nurse in Iowa
In Iowa, RN licensing requirements are set by the state health department and vary by year.
Provides direct patient care and coordinates care plans. Requires an ADN or BSN and the NCLEX-RN; licensing is via state boards of nursing. Requirements change — always confirm with the state board before paying.
Licensing steps in Iowa
- 1Meet the basic requirements
Age and background check rules vary — confirm with the state board.
- 2Complete pre-license education
Required training hours are not published here — check with the state board for the current figure.
- 3Register and pass the exam
The exam vendor varies — check the official board site.
- 4Pay fees and get licensed
Fee schedule not published here — verify with the board.
- 5Stay current
Renewal cycle and CE requirements vary — check the board.
RN requirements — Iowa at a glance
| Education hours | — |
| Exam vendor | — |
| Questions (national/state) | — |
| Passing score | — |
| Exam fee | — |
| Application fee | — |
| License fee | — |
| First-attempt pass rate | not published |
| Retake rule | — |
| Renewal | — |
| Reciprocity | — |
Transferring a RN license between states
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Registered nurses transfer through the Nurse Licensure Compact. If your primary state of residence is a compact state you can hold one multistate licence and practise in every other implemented compact state without a separate endorsement application.
41 jurisdictions currently use it. Iowa is one of them.
Confirm your home state is currently issuing multistate licences on the NCSBN compact map before you count on the compact. Mechanism data retrieved 2026-09-13.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a RN license in Iowa?
After completing the required education, most candidates need 4-12 weeks of study before the exam. Total timeline depends on scheduling.
How hard is the RN exam in Iowa?
Official first-attempt pass rates are not published by Iowa; check the state board.
What does the RN license cost in Iowa?
Fees are not published here — check the official board site.
Can I transfer my RN license to Iowa?
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC): Registered nurses transfer through the Nurse Licensure Compact. If your primary state of residence is a compact state you can hold one multistate licence and practise in every other implemented compact state without a separate endorsement application. A per-state note for Iowa is not published in our dataset — verify with both boards.
Plan your RN licensing in Iowa
Work the road in order — check what Iowa requires, price the prep, lock a study schedule, then keep the license current.
- 1. Confirm requirements — education hours, fees and the board that issues it.
- 2. Budget the prep — exam + application + license + course costs before you pay.
- 3. Study to the exam — the RN exam blueprint and a dated study plan.
- 4. Sit the exam — what to bring, where to test, and the retake rule if you miss.
- 5. Stay licensed — renewal cycle, CE hours, and Iowa reciprocity.
RN tools for Iowa
Every step of the Iowa RN road has a free tool — from the first requirements check to renewal and reciprocity.
This guide is informational and not legal advice. Requirements change frequently — verify all figures with the state licensing board (retrieved 2026-08-20).